Government withdraws £303m Melksham bypass from funding programme

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

The Government has removed the planned £303 million A350 Melksham Bypass from its major roads funding programme.

The Government has removed the £303 million A350 Melksham Bypass from its major roads funding programme. Roads Minister Justin Madders confirmed the decision in a letter to Melksham and Devizes MP Brian Mathew on 9 October, following a review of the funding programme. Madders said the Government had inherited 'a long list of unfunded, unaffordable schemes' and wanted a more realistic programme that councils and ministers could afford.

The Melksham scheme was assessed as providing 'lower overall value for money' than schemes retained in the programme, based on factors including the maturity of its business case, reliability of analysis and uncertainty. Madders acknowledged the decision would be 'disappointing' but said funding had to be prioritised for schemes providing the greatest benefits.

The decision follows years of planning by Wiltshire Council, which had earmarked £10 million in its capital programme before reallocating the money earlier this year while awaiting a Government decision. The project costs have risen significantly: the council's preferred eastern route around Melksham and Bowerhill was estimated at £146 million in 2021, £238 million in 2022, and £303 million by summer 2024.

Despite the withdrawal, the door has not closed entirely. Madders told the MP the bypass could be reconsidered in future if a compelling business case and appropriate funding programme emerged.

How it is being reported

• £300m Melksham bypass dealt major blow as funding withdrawnPlans for a £303 million bypass around Melksham have suffered a major blow after the Government removed the scheme from its major roads funding programme.Wiltshire Times · 9 Oct, 16:46
• £300m Melksham bypass dealt major blow as funding withdrawnPlans for a £303 million bypass around Melksham have suffered a major blow after the Government removed the scheme from its major roads funding programme.Gazette & Herald · 9 Oct, 16:46

In this story: Melksham · Wiltshire Council · Justin Madders · Brian Mathew · Bowerhill

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